Overview

Comprehensive Description

Amygdalum papyrium is a member of the family Mytilidae. The fragile shell of the Atlantic paper mussel is white with a glistening, smooth periostracum (thin organic layer covering the outer layer of the shell) that is bluish green to yellow in color. The shell is elongate, compressed, and wider at the posterior end. Umbones are present near, but not at, the anterior end. The interior of the shell is iridescent white with smooth margins (Mikkelsen and Bieler 2008). A. papyrium attaches to the substratum as well as to each other with byssal threads often forming dense beds that support rich faunal and infaunal invertebrate assemblages.

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Distribution

Amygdalum papyrium occurs in the North and South Americas from Maryland to Florida, and the Gulf of Mexico, and Venezuela (Mikkelsen and Bieler 2008). The Atlantic paper mussel is common in the Indian River Lagoon.

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Physical Description

Size

The Atlantic paper mussel is short lived, living less than one year, and reaches sexual maturity within a few months (Walker et al. 2003). Amygdalum papyrium grows rapidly to a shell length of less than 32 mm. The largest shell reported for this species from Skidaway Island, Georgia is 39. 5 mm. This specimen was collected in late March just before a large die-off. In the same population, there were more females than males.

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Population Biology

The abundance of Atlantic paper mussel was reported to range from 25 m2 to as high as 3325 m2 (Nassau River 1993), but can vary regionally. In the Indian River Lagoon, Amygdalum papyrium densities were reported from 25 m2 to as high as 525 m2.

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Life History and Behavior

Reproduction

The Atlantic paper mussel is a semelparous species reproducing only once during its life time. This species is dioecious, having both males and females. The spawning period in a population from Skidaway Island, Georgia was reported to be between October and January with a few remaining ripe individuals found in February (R.L. Walker et al. 2003).

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Growth

The embryology of Amygdalum papyrium has not been well studied. However, other members in this family, such as Lithophaga bisulcata, Mytilus edulis, and Perna perna, have been well studied. The larvae of mytilid mussels appear to quickly develop into veligers followed by pediveligers (competent larvae) within a few weeks (Siddall 1980, Scott 1988a and b). Metamorphosis of the pedivleiger occurs once an appropriate area to settle is encountered (Siddall 1980, Scott 1988a). The larvae of A. papyrium stay in the water column for several weeks and recruit in the summer months (R.L. Walker et al. 2003).